Tag: PRTMProud

When Nicole Entrup first started her undergraduate degree program at Clemson University, she didn’t think that studying abroad would be an option.

“I’m from 12 hours away in New Jersey, so was already paying out-of-state tuition,” Nicole said. “When you think of study abroad, you think of this big cost, and I just didn’t think that it would necessarily be financially attainable.”

A recreational therapy major in the Department Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Nicole had always been curious about what the field was like in other parts of the world. When she was planning her upcoming academic year, her advisor told her that a core degree requirement could be completed as a study abroad in Australia, and that the cost was similar to in-state tuition.

“The in-state tuition for EDGE in Australia made studying abroad a lot more feasible for me,” she said. “I think that also being away from home kind of opened my mind to it too, because if I could handle coming to Clemson, I could also handle going abroad to another country to see what recreational therapy and adaptive sports look like there.”

All students majoring in parks, recreation and tourism management (PRTM) are required to take a semester-long program called EDGE as part of their undergraduate degree. The focus of the semester is to prepare students for their chosen profession, while also helping them build skills and knowledge needed to succeed, such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and collaboration.

Throughout the PRTM EDGE semester, students take advantage of multiple opportunities to learn content through the use of innovative teaching methods, undergraduate research, real-world experiences and experiential learning. Students taking the EDGE Abroad program in Australia benefit from an international context to their classroom instruction, giving them the opportunity to build global connections while exploring a different part of the world.

Nicole appreciated the program format, which gave her a manageable balance between classroom learning and building her own industry connections in her free time.

“It was a really good balance of working hard Monday through Thursday, and then you have the weekend to travel, because we don’t have Friday class,” said Nicole. “Every Wednesday would be an educational field trip to somewhere like the Australia Zoo, but we’d be there to learn from them, so it was a really cool, interactive learning experience.”

One of the connections Nicole made during her spare time was with the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association, which works to ensure that every Queenslander with a disability will have opportunities to live a more active and healthy life.

Nicole reached out to the group, attended one of their workshops and then arranged for her study abroad cohort to participate in a wheelchair basketball practice and learn more about the organization and the people it serves.

PRTM EDGE Abroad is led by PRTM faculty members Teresa Tucker and Charles Chancellor. Chancellor says that Nicole’s initiative created an exciting learning opportunity for both the students in her class and future EDGE Abroad students.

“She singlehandedly sought out the Sporting Wheelies and set up a field experience for the entire class to attend a workshop to learn about the organization that included a chance to meet and play wheelchair basketball with the athletes,” Chancellor said. “The evening was a huge hit and highlight for the entire class regardless of their emphasis area.”

Chancellor added that although EDGE Abroad students regularly make industry connections during the trip, it’s rare for a student to introduce a new industry connection for the program. The Sporting Wheelies event is now a regularly scheduled field experience on the EDGE Abroad itinerary.

Nicole is now working with recreational therapy faculty member Jasmine Townsend to involve the Sporting Wheelies in an international study of adaptive sport organizations. Nicole is also planning to pursue a master’s degree in recreational therapy after graduation, while looking for other ways to grow her Australian connections.

“I just found out that Brisbane, which is the city we stayed in, was just announced as the preferred host location for the 2032 Paralympic Summer Games,” Nicole said. “Hopefully by the time I’ve graduated and been in the field a bit, I can make my way back there with the Paralympics.”

While the on campus EDGE program is offered each fall, spring and summer, EDGE Abroad in Australia is only offered during spring semesters. Signups are underway for Spring 2022 and students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor for details.

Two programs in need have created a valuable partnership indeed. Pressures brought on by COVID-19 have led to an innovative partnership that is providing a lasting impact for both Clemson University Recreational Therapy program students and an Upstate organization that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Last fall, the Rainbow Gang, a free community leisure and activity-based day program in Anderson County that provides recreation services to adults with intellectual and development disabilities, was in the process of planning to bring back in-person activity options after a fully virtual spring. They quickly realized, however, that they lacked the resources to effectively provide both virtual and in-person programming that could equally address their participants’ needs.

At the same time, three students in the recreational therapy program at Clemson University lost planned internship positions because of the pandemic. The program, which had previously worked with the Rainbow Gang on a study exploring the benefits of yoga for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, approached Program Director Kathy Schofield for help.

“We received a call from the recreational therapy program’s internship coordinator offering internship support, including bringing a Ph.D. student to our facility to supervise them,” Schofield said. “This is just what we needed to build small group programming that could serve both our in-person participants and those who needed to continue to stay home, so no one would be without activity options.”

The result was an internship program called Tiger Wellness, with two undergraduate student interns supporting programming offered both in-person and online, and a third intern working virtually from Texas. The students were able to provide recreational therapy interventions two to three times a day, with activities focused on enhancing the group’s social, mental and physical well-being.

The recreational therapy program worked closely with their accrediting agency, the Commission on the Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education and their certifying body, the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, to ensure that accreditation and certification guidelines were followed and met, including providing an internship supervisor.

Although the Rainbow Gang already had a certified recreational therapist working on-site, she didn’t yet have the one year of experience needed at her current job to supervise interns on her own. Faculty member Marieke Van Puymbroeck Chancellor took on that role, with Ph.D. student Kaitlin Mueller acting as her assistant and providing mentorship support to staff at the Rainbow Gang’s physical location.

Darby Hinson, the Rainbow Gang’s recreational therapist, said the mentorship provided by Clemson faculty and graduate students proved to be a unique and invaluable byproduct of the partnership.

“Having the advice of a person who’s supervised interns before helped prepare me for hosting my own,” Hinson said. “The Tiger Wellness program started right when I was eligible to start my own internship program, so it was helpful to have someone model what an internship program could look like.”

The program has three new interns this spring, two of which are from Clemson. They are also working to expand their virtual program to reach other medically vulnerable participants in the community who are not able to visit the center or who do not qualify for the day program.

Van Puymbroeck said that she is proud of how the team worked together to create a meaningful and innovative experience for the student interns.

“Together, we were able to turn the challenges we were facing into an incredible learning opportunity for our students,” said Van Puymbroeck. “I’m also so proud of our students who were able to be flexible and to try new and creative approaches to patient care, which is beyond what they’ve learned in the classroom.”

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The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management is part of the University’s College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS). Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in seven disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, almost a third of undergraduate students in associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs change their major at least once. That was the case for Clemson University alumna Lee Hilderbrand Blakely (2008), who shifted her undergraduate degree focus from chemistry to communication, before a travel and tourism minor helped her discover a passion for event planning.

Blakely has since applied the same philosophy to her career, using experiences in different jobs to find the perfect fit. Blakely organized events for the Chick-fil-A Bowl Game in Atlanta, sold linens to event planners throughout Charleston, and worked as both a wedding planner and in destination management before launching her own business last fall. Now she’s sharing what she’s learned along the way with students in the Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM).

Students in the department’s program and events planning class learn about planning, implementing and evaluating leisure and recreation programs and events. Blakely will lead a group of students through a project that they will carry out in the Charleston community, where they will be required to assess the project’s needs, develop goals and objectives, and build and implement a comprehensive plan. They will then be asked to measure whether they achieved the goals and objectives they set out to accomplish.

Blakely said that applying lessons learned in the classroom to real-world experiences is invaluable, something she discovered during her own time as a PRTM student.

“My favorite class was with a professor who had worked in national parks, and who taught much of the class based off of his first-hand experiences on the job,” Blakely said. “It inspired me to go out and do my own thing and learn by experience. Now I’m excited to pass that on to other PRTM students.”

Sheila Backman, Ph.D., one of Blakely’s former professors, said that Blakely was a great student who has a lot of on-the-ground knowledge to share with those currently completing their degrees, so she can help students understand what skills they need to succeed in the field.

“She exhibited positive behavior as a student, came to class on time, and was prepared and engaged – all skills that can be taken for granted, but have served her well in her past employment,” Backman said. “I expect her business to be successful, and for our students to benefit greatly from her knowledge.”

Blakely said that she’s happy to give back to her alma mater.

“I have a very deep connection with Clemson, the college and with the major as well, in many different ways,” said Blakely, whose father (Van Hilderbrand, 1974), brother (Van Hilderbrand Jr., 2002) and husband (David Blakely, 2008) are also graduates. “It’s good to keep those connections going.”

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The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management is part of the University’s College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS). Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in seven disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.

Experience Holy City in Charleston specializes in event planning, destination management, day-of-wedding coordination and transportation for groups visiting Charleston or other parts of South Carolina. The business was founded by Lee Blakely in October 2020.

By Sam Brooks, communications intern

A wedding is a special day for people all over the world. The event represents the beginning of a new adventure that will define them for the rest of their life. This was the case for Clemson University Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) alumna Aysia Cooper; it just happened to be her sister’s wedding.

Born in Greer, South Carolina, Aysia has always had big dreams and found herself at Greer Charter High School, which gave her an opportunity to begin her college education early. After high school, she planned on becoming a dental hygienist and began her college career at Greenville Tech. Everything changed however when her sister became engaged and she was tasked with planning the event.

Whether it was picking out flowers, food or a dance playlist, Aysia immersed herself in the organization and planning process. While creating the perfect day for her sister, she found a hidden gift within herself. Aysia Cooper was made for organizing, planning, leadership and creating the perfect environment for others to enjoy. Once Cooper discovered her newfound passion she realized that that dental school was not the place for her. She turned her attention to find a place that could help develop the personal gifts that had been inside her all along. 

When deciding which field to study, she realized she needed more than just a hospitality degree. She needed a program that could fully develop all of her gifts and give her the opportunity to experience new things. Aysia found her home in the PRTM department.

“I like the chaos of everything, I like logistics, I like being in charge, handling all the moving parts and figuring out how we are all going to do an event together,” said Cooper. “Being in that chaos and taking control of a situation is what initially drew me to the program.”

She found that within the PRTM department, she could develop her event management skills, while also getting marketing experience that would help her in the professional world. 

“Clemson offers a PRTM concentration that is more than tourism and management, which is different from what a lot of other schools offer,” Cooper said. “We learned about so many different concentrations within the major that helped us understand different fields.”

Aysia recalls her classes with Bill Norman, Ph.D., a professor that is still a major influence in her life today. 

“Dr. Norman does a great job of connecting his classes to real life. He genuinely cares about you as a person,” said Cooper. “Every time I need a recommendation I give him a call and Dr. Norman still checks in on me. You can tell he really wants his students to succeed.”

Aysia’s PRTM learning also helped her put her natural abilities and knowledge gained in the classroom to the test. 

“Through one of my classes we got to plan and work the Student Affairs Gala for department donors,” Aysia said. “We planned the decoration, menu, and everything in between.”

Aysia said that her time working with Student Affairs played a significant role in her professional development.

“Student Affairs is something that is extra special to me. I worked with them for so long and it was such an important part of my Clemson experience.”

After graduating in the spring of 2020, Aysia was set to begin her dream internship with the City of Greenville in their special events department. However Aysia, like many former and current students across the country, had her internship altered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A once paid internship became unpaid and her hours were cut down severely. 

Aysia had a choice to make. She could either make the most out of what was left of her opportunity or try to find something else. Aysia chose to maximize the opportunity she had been given. She bet on herself and the abilities the Clemson PRTM department had helped her develop. After the internship with the City of Greenville, she was able to land another internship with an architecture firm doing product marketing. This opportunity led to a full-time job with the architecture firm that continued to develop her professional skills. Aysia recently accepted a new position at Clemson University as an Event Coordinator. 

Aysia’s early success came as no surprise to her favorite professor, Bill Norman. 

“When I met Aysia she had a 4.0 GPA. When Aysia graduated she had a 4.0 GPA,” said Dr. Norman. “As her professor and advisor, I challenged her in the classroom and the profession. She surpassed my expectations at every turn. Aysia represents the best of PRTM and will do a great job as an Event Coordinator at Clemson University.”

The future for Aysia Cooper is bright and sure to be filled with exciting opportunities. She dreams of doing destination marketing for the City of Greenville full-time one day. In the meantime, she continues to believe in herself, work hard and trust the lessons she learned during her time at Clemson University. 

By Nicolle Rebolledo, communications intern

Conner Sweeny is both a Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) undergraduate student at Clemson University and a talented rising country music star. His most recent performance was in Clemson’s very own 2020 Tigerama where his band, The Conner Sweeny band, performed on a live stream for all of our Clemson fans to enjoy. He recently released his five-track EP album named Faith Family Friends in April 2019, and it includes a song called ‘Tiger Town.” Not only is he a part of Clemson’s Talented Hall of Fame, he has a passion for conservation and wildlife and is a bright student in our PRTM program.

Why did you choose PRTM for your studies at Clemson University?

I chose PRTM because I am truly passionate about the outdoors, wildlife and conservation. It was an easy decision and I haven’t ever regretted it. 

What’s your favorite experience as a PRTM student so far?

My favorite PRTM experience so far has been taking Intro to PCAM with Betty Baldwin. She opened up my eyes to so many different aspects or the outdoors and gave me opportunities to be hands on with conservation.

Are you originally from Clemson? How does the area shape your music?

I have lived in a lot of places, but my family now lives in Greenville, SC. Ever since I arrived in this town in 2017, It has been shaping my music and shaping me. I love Clemson and everything I have experienced here!

How can people buy your music?

My music can be bought on iTunes, streamed on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1J7P9iKA9TGrDpBbtM9k03), streamed on Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/conner-sweeny/1422811725), and you can follow my page on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/connersweenymusic/?hl=en) to find out about music updates and shows! 

For nearly half a century, a partnership between two Clemson University departments has provided courses for credit in leisure education and research opportunities to students on campus.

The partnership began when the university started its leisure skills program in 1972, which allows Clemson students to take a leisure or recreational course for one credit, while also helping them explore non-academic hobbies or career options. The program typically offers more than 150 one-credit learning options every semester in subjects such as dance, shotgun and other sports, yoga, fitness, outdoor recreation and first aid. The courses are developed and managed by the university’s parks, recreation and tourism management department, with 24 of the 159 courses offered last fall using campus recreation facilities.

Jeff Hallo, interim chair of the department, says that the leisure skills partnership between university departments is an example of working together in the best interests of students, while also furthering new research befitting Clemson’s status as one of the nation’s most active research institutions (Carnegie Basic Classification R1 – Highest Research Activity).

“We’re grateful to campus recreation, and are particularly thankful for Executive Director David Frock, for ensuring Clemson students can participate in learning opportunities in their campus facilities,” Hallo said. “It’s safe to say that these programs, which have provided numerous opportunities for our faculty and graduate students to conduct leisure-focused research while also serving thousands of undergraduate students, make a significant contribution to our university as a whole.”

Leisure Skills Program Director Dan Anderson adds that the program functions as a research lab of its own on campus.

“We have the most prized population to study in the leisure field – college-aged students – right at our fingertips, and we have them actively engaged in active forms of leisure, like sports, and non-active forms of leisure, giving us a unique research opportunity,” Anderson said. “We’ve had several graduate students and faculty members study the impacts associated with student participation in those types of programs, such as on their mental health, their ability to better focus on their studies and on their body image.”

A study led by former Clemson graduate student Katherine Ann Jordan that was published in the Journal of Experiential Education in 2018, for example, found that if college students have leisure education included in their academic schedule and tied to their grade point average, they were more likely to actively participate in healthy leisure activities and begin and maintain positive lifestyle habits.

Another study led by former doctoral student Cindy Hartman and published in the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice in 2017 found that leisure education courses are a form of complementary health programming that helps students build adaptive coping skills and positive well-being. In 2013, graduate student Kate Evans used the leisure skills program to explore the impact leisure skills classes have on building student engagement with the university. The study results indicated that leisure education had a marked impact – providing a uniquely positioned environment for building students’ sense of engagement with their institution through an enhanced sense of community, enhanced sense of self and active learning.

Campus Recreation Executive Director Dr. David Frock said that the partnership between the departments aligns with the campus recreation mission to enhance the educational experience and promote lifelong wellness through high quality and diverse recreation programs, services and facilities.

“Hosting courses within the leisure skills program activates and engages students, exposing them to the numerous well-being services offered through campus recreation,” Frock said. “Our staff has collaborated with faculty on research and grants along with collaborations on programs and events throughout PRTM. Campus recreation staff also instruct courses and provide Clemson students the opportunity to develop new skill sets and build their resumes.”

Over the past few years, the partnership has expanded to include research, grants and other campus activities with a focus on diversity. For example, the departments recently worked together to introduce wheelchair basketball as the newest intramural sport.

These activities are part of the university’s Adaptive Sports and Recreation Lab, which was launched last spring in order to further existing efforts to implement high-quality adaptive sport programming and conduct applied research.

Other opportunities for adaptive sport involvement by students and community members include the Southeast Regional Wheelchair Games and the Clemson Classic juniors wheelchair basketball tournament. All of these programs require campus resources to be successful, of which campus recreation facilities and staff are vital.

These joint efforts demonstrate a commitment to achieve the university’s strategic aims of inclusive excellence and to break down the barriers to sport and recreation access that many students with physical disabilities experience on college campuses.

Hallo said he is hopeful that the partnership can continue to provide opportunities for students and faculty well after it surpasses its 50^th anniversary in 2022.

“This partnership has accomplished a great deal over the decades and helped thousands of students,” Hallo said. “We’re aware that many of these programs wouldn’t exist without access to campus recreation facilities and equipment, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to continue to work with them to create new opportunities for our students and community.”

Clemson’s undergraduate and graduate students aren’t the only group shifting their learning online this spring. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Clemson University is also moving their classes to a virtual format in response to COVID-19.

OLLI at Clemson is a community of more than 1,400 people that provides member-driven, volunteer-led learning opportunities to its members, which come from a variety of backgrounds and education levels. Although its classes are open to everyone, its members are generally older adults.

Many of the institute’s program options were originally focused on in-person experiences that are difficult to replicate online, such as day-long hiking excursions and craft-making classes. Julie Vidotto, director of the institute, said that emphasis on outdoor experiences posed a challenge when planning virtual programming.

“There were a number of variables we needed to consider, such as which classes could most reasonably shift to an online delivery format and how our members could feel they were given an equal opportunity to participate in class discussions,” Vidotto said. “We started with training sessions and four test classes in early April to gauge how our members might adapt to interacting with us online, and we were blown away by the immediate, positive response.”

After the first classes, several members contacted OLLI staff to thank them for their efforts; one member even called the institute a “vital lifeline” that is keeping them occupied during the pandemic. Members also said they enjoyed seeing other people and that some would be open to other online learning opportunities when social distancing is no longer encouraged.

The test classes provided valuable insight into what resources are needed for OLLI to scale up their online learning, Vidotto said. OLLI is now offering a short, three-week spring mini-term of classes, which they plan to expand over the summer.

OLLI’s pivot to online learning is in line with many of the other OLLIs around the country. The move to online delivery keeps older adults engaged during self-quarantine while offsetting the revenue loss associated with isolation measures brought on by COVID-19.

Chip Stapleton, who serves as the Clemson institute’s board chairman, said the decision to pivot to online learning was an easy one to make.

“We had always considered our face-to-face learning community as part of the appeal to our members, however, we know we can create similar opportunities to connect online,” Stapleton said. “Our members need this programming now more than ever in a time of social distancing, so we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they’re supported.”

Shortly after the board advised OLLI staff to consider online instruction, they found themselves facing a steep learning curve, but they’re proud of how the OLLI community has risen to the challenge.

“Our challenge, like the university’s, has been to bring both OLLI members and volunteer instructors up to some level of comfort with Zoom technology as soon as possible, while still learning how to use it ourselves,” Vidotto said. “The Osher National Resource Center has been hosting continuous Zoom training, and really creating and modeling best practices, which has been a terrific help.”

Vidotto added that the OLLI board has also helped them to more quickly adopt online delivery than they would have otherwise.

“We always say that OLLI at Clemson is about community, and our board members have gone above and beyond in exemplifying that,” Vidotto said. “We’re so grateful for their – and our members’ – continued support.”

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To learn more about OLLI at Clemson, including class schedules and how to become a member, visit OLLIatClemson.org.

Several Clemson University Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management junior and senior undergraduate students have been recognized for having the highest GPAs among their cohort this academic year.

Interim Department Chair Jeffrey Hallo says that he’s proud of the hard work, commitment and dedication these students have brought to their studies.

“These students have worked hard all year, and I’m pleased to see them rewarded for their significant efforts in the classroom,” Hallo says. “Their perseverance and dedication will serve them well in their future careers, and they should be proud of this achievement. I’m certainly proud of them.”

The department’s 2020 Academic Achievement award recipients include:

Juniors

Shelby Bentley 

Shelby Bentley is a second-year Parks and Conservation Area Management student from Leesville, South Carolina. She is currently taking her EDGE semester and just returned from an absolutely amazing trip to Australia with nine other PRTM classmates. She is extremely passionate about animals and the outdoors and her dream career is any in which she is able to bring people closer to those two things. Shelby is very honored to have received the Academic Achievement Award at the Junior Level for PRTM.

Conner Haberman

Connor Haberman is from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is the middle child of three with two dogs as well. He played soccer in college for two years at his previous school, but now just enjoys playing pick-up with friends. Connor also enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family. After graduating from Clemson, he plans to get his master’s in hopes of becoming a Recreation Therapist or Physical Therapist.

Meredith Powell

Meredith is a Sophomore Recreational Therapy Major from Greenville, South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys climbing and running, and being anywhere outdoors with friends. She is passionate about PRTM because she is passionate about people, and she is excited about a future in Recreational Therapy.

Ryan Schuchmann

Ryan is from Knoxville, Tennessee and is a double major in PRTM (with a concentration in Professional Golf Management) and Business Management. Besides golfing, which he tries to do as much as he can, he also enjoys fishing and hunting and is involved in intramural flag football and basketball, as well as volunteering with Clemson Life. This summer he will be interning at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Seniors

Aysia Cooper

Aysia is a senior PRTM major with an emphasis in Travel and Tourism from Greer, South Carolina. Aysia’s active spirit and mind has manifested itself into a love for running, traveling and hiking. This summer she will serve as the City of Greenville Special Events Intern, and upon completion will graduate in August. After graduation she hopes to pursue a career in community development.

Aurora Graichen

Aurora Graichen transferred to Clemson PRTM as a junior from the College of Charleston, where she studied Marine Biology. She is really enjoying her new major, and looks forward to finding a career along this new path. After graduation, she hopes to become a park ranger for the National Park Service.

Rachel Knauer

Rachel Knauer is a junior from Sumter, South Carolina. She found out about Recreational Therapy from a friend, fell in love with the mission and ended up transferring to Clemson University in order to get involved in the Department of PRTM. Because of her experience in EDGE, Rachel became an EDGE Mentor, which enriched her education through leadership training and professional development. Working alongside Julianne Keehan as a Lead EDGE Mentor this spring, Rachel has used her skills to further facilitate a culture of encouragement, support and confidence for students in PRTM. Moving forward, Rachel dreams of bringing the impact of Recreational Therapy to the geriatric population as an advocate and helper to any older adult within her reach. She is excited and passionate about the field of Recreational Therapy as a whole and cannot wait to pursue an internship and future career in geriatric RT.

Ryan Piller

Ryan Piller is from Greenville, South Carolina. She is a PRTM major with a concentration in Parks and Conservation Area Management and a minor in History. She’s currently a junior, but is a senior in academic standing. She is a founding member and current secretary for the club Young Women for America at Clemson, a club for women to discuss politics and religion freely. Ryan enjoys being outside, playing piano, guitar and ukulele, singing, dancing, writing, reading, being with friends and working with kids. She hopes to work at an historical site, monument or battlefield where she can combine her love for parks and history.

Hannah Snider

Hannah Snider is a senior at Clemson University getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a concentration in Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Management. She is the daughter of Brian and Rebecca Snider and the sister of Rachel Snider. She is also the fiancé of Dillon Gums. She currently works part-time at both the Clemson Ticket Office and the City of Easley Parks and Recreation Department. She loves animals, especially goats, all things Disney, being outside and going on adventures. She is a follower of Christ and says she owes all of her success to Him. She is currently still in search of a job for after graduation and is looking forward to whatever the future has in store!

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The parks, recreation and tourism management department at Clemson University is one of the largest and most well-recognized programs of its type in the nation. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in  community recreation, sport and camp management, park and conservation area management, PGA golf management, public administration, recreational therapy, travel and tourism, and youth development leadership. To see the video announcing the award winners, visit: https://ensemble.clemson.edu/Watch/w8X4Aef9

By Nicolle Rebolledo, communications intern for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) at Clemson University, through the federal work study program.

This year, I was looking for a means to make money to cover my personal expenses as a student, as well as a job with flexible hours. Coming out of high school I had worked a few odd jobs here and there and even worked in a department store for over a year. Although I had some experience working, I was after some experience working alongside professionals that I could learn from.

Every year the U.S department of education awards more than 150 billion dollars in grants, loans and work study funds to college students that show financial need based on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). What sets a work study job apart from federal grants and loans is that it’s earned through part time employment with a school. As an architecture major, I was conflicted with the idea of sustaining a job as well as being able to excel in a time consuming major, however, a plus to this form of aid is that you’ll never have to pay it back and the earnings you make are dependent on how many hours you choose to work.

The trick to getting a work study position is to apply as soon as possible, the earliest being October. The sooner the better because generally aid is given on a first come, first served basis. In this case, the early bird always gets the worm.

The experience I had under my sleeve along with some software skills I had developed on my own made me a worthy candidate for a work-study job. Being a work study has greatly benefited me in many more ways than just financially and I’d like to share my experience as one.

About a month away from joining the Clemson family; I began applying to as many work study jobs available in just about every department. From the art departments teaching assistant to working at the botanical gardens, I found an endless amount of possibilities and applied to each one with excitement. Shortly after a couple days of nail-biting anticipation, I got a call from a sweet lady I’d later get to call my boss, Karin Emmons, former media resource specialist (retired). She noticed my resume included that I had ample experience with programs like Photoshop and InDesign, among other programs, and this made me a glowing candidate for becoming a communications intern in the PRTM department. I was hired!

I was easily able to design a work schedule that didn’t interfere with my classes and gave me sufficient time to study and work in the studio. Working in PRTM, I’ve been introduced to a different world within Clemson.  I’ve met incredible people that have shown me the ins and outs of this department. From office tailgates to interviewing folks that work in the department, you’ll be sure to become a part of the PRTM quickly.

During my time working, I’ve had extremely beneficial experiences that have helped me outside of the office. I remember during my first semester, I was tasked with editing a video for the department’s EDGE program, yet I had never laid a finger on video editing software. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to receive one-on-one tutorials with Jan Lay, Clemson’s faculty training coordinator and instructor for Adobe Software. Not only did I gain knowledge and experience with video editing programs like Premiere Pro, but I also received tutorials to strengthen my Illustrator and Photoshop skills, among other programs.

“Work experience at any level while you’re in college is going to be a benefit,” says Megan FitzGibbon, manager of state scholarship programs at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. “Especially if it’s related to your degree.”

Being able to add work-related experience is substantially beneficial to your personal resume and I’m currently using it on mine to apply for summer internships related to my career.

To anyone considering applying for a work study job, my two cents of advice would be to work on your time management skills. I can’t stress this enough! Being able to manage your time between working and studying is crucial to sustaining both. At first you may find it tedious learning what to prioritize but quickly it will become second nature.

Having a working study job isn’t meant to feel like a juggling act. Instead, they’re rewarding opportunities aimed for students​ looking to earn extra money while building a resume. It has been a rewarding experience that has​ allowed me to polish my professional skills, earn pocket money, and most importantly gain meaningful experiences as a Clemson Tiger!

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If you’re interested in applying to work study jobs, go to the Michelin Career Center. There you can you search positions with Clemson (on or off campus) that are tailored to your preferences and goals. Not only do they connect students and employers, but they also offer career counseling, resume reviews, information workshops, and other valuable job searching advice.

Faculty in Clemson’s parks, recreation and tourism management department won three of six national awards presented by The Academy of Leisure Sciences at its annual conference in February. The awards program recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding performance in teaching, research or service in leisure studies and its related fields.

A department graduate student was also recognized for her potential as a scholar in recreation and leisure studies.

Interim Chair Jeffrey Hallo says that the awards are indicative of the impact the department’s students and scholars are making in the field.

“I’m not surprised to see such outstanding recognition of the value our faculty and students bring to the study and teaching of leisure sciences,” Hallo said. “It’s affirming to see that their colleagues throughout the country feel the same way I do about their work and commitment to their profession.”

The department’s award recipients include:

Excellence in Teaching Award – Lauren Duffy, PhD

Lauren Duffy, associate professor of travel and tourism, was recognized for consistently demonstrating an outstanding ability as a teacher of leisure sciences. Duffy’s teaching approach actively engages students in course content, creating inclusive learning environments and diversifying the methods she uses to teach. She provides opportunities for her students to work directly with community organizations and governments, ensuring the knowledge they develop is firmly rooted in both a focus on service and a practical understanding of the profession. She feels her most important job is to create critical thinkers who are prepared to engage with complex problem-solving and global issues of the 21^st century.

Duffy is also a 2019-20 Clemson University Teaching Forward Fellow and 2018 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching from The Clemson University College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences.

New Researcher Award – Ryan Gagnon, PhD

Ryan Gagnon, assistant professor of community recreation, sport and camp management, was recognized for exceptional research contributions since earning his doctorate. The award signifies Gagnon’s potential to become an exceptional member of the Academy as his career progresses.

Gagnon’s research is focused on improving out-of-school programs as contexts for youth thriving and development, exploring how out-of-school settings can best serve youth from poverty contexts and examining the role and influence of overparenting on youth development. Since 2015, Gagnon has published 28 peer reviewed journal articles, two book chapters and 22 conference proceedings, while also completing more than 48 research papers, posters and educational sessions. He’s also part of research grants and contracts totaling close to $1.5 million (including a grant from the National Science Foundation).

Gagnon has also been recognized with a Doctoral Degree Candidate Research Award (2017) from the Clemson University College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, as well as through his department and other external organizations.

Innovation in Teaching Award – PRTM Writing Mentorship Project

Faculty members: Gwynn Powell, PhD and Lauren Duffy, PhD

Inaugural PRTM Writing Mentorship Project Members: E’Lisha Fogle, Paul Gremillion, Karleisha Kakraba, Tori Kleinbort, Lisa Olsen and Lauren Stephens

The team, led by Gwynn Powell and Lauren Duffy, was recognized for transforming how their department’s undergraduate, graduate students and faculty address professional written communication. The PRTM Writing Mentorship Project applies a “learning through teaching” approach that gives graduate students the tools and skills they need to effectively coach undergraduate students – improving the writing skills and ability of both groups.

The project brought together professionals, faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students, ensuring an approach informed by professional needs and standards. This work was started through a grant from the Pearce Center for Professional Communication and is now in its third year, with improvements being made every cycle.

Powell is the only member of the Academy to have been recognized with this award three times.

Hannah Wells – TALS Future Scholar

Hannah Wells, a graduate student in the department, attended the conference as part of the Academy’s Future Scholars Program, which gives graduate students interested in pursuing a doctorate in an area related to recreation and leisure sciences an opportunity to connect with scholars in the field by attending the Academy’s annual conference. Wells was paired with an Academy mentor during the conference and received $1,000 from the Academy to cover her transportation, lodging and meal expenses.

Award recipients are chosen based on their academic ability; indications of scholarly potential in the field based on their publications, presentations and research experience; level of professionalism and their intention to pursue a doctoral degree in the future.

Wells was previously recognized in 2019 for her achievements as a student by the parks, recreation and tourism management department at Clemson. She received awards for academic excellence (department-wide), departmental honors (graduate) and academic excellence in recreational therapy.

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The parks, recreation and tourism management department at Clemson University is one of the largest and most well-recognized programs of its type in the nation. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in  community recreation, sport and camp management, park and conservation area management, PGA golf management, public administration, recreational therapy, travel and tourism, and youth development leadership.